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Pam's Fight

On November 27th 2011, I found out the large painful lump that had rapidly grown, was Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, BREAST CANCER stage 3+.

I had no history of Breast Cancer in my family, but the fact that I had never had children, and that I had started my period at the age of 10, were high risk factors.

I endured Chemo for 6 months followed by a mastectomy with 11 lymph nodes cancerous under the arm.

Endured 33 radiation treatments during the course of 6 weeks.

Started the reconstruction process immediately flowing second mastectomy.

I am looking forward to what I hope is the final reconstructive surgery on September 22nd, 2014, nearly 3 years after the beginning of my journey.

I have been blessed to be followed by an amazing medical team, and more Friends and Family than I ever knew I had.

The "Silver Lining" also included the opportunity to participate in the Live Strong Program at the local YMCA..a group physical exercise training program for Cancer Survivors.

Life is Good !!!

Pam Clark Srtrebel

pamela strebel
CALEDONIA, MI

Mammography Tech gets Breast Cancer

So I had been performing Mammographies since way back when there was Zero Mammography in 1982. So I had seen many woman diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I had assisted on many Breast Biopsies. Then a lump was found during a routine Mammogram and Ultrasound on June 1st of 2011. I was 48 years old and had always lived a healthy lifestyle so I will say I was a little surprised. Not that I thought that I would be exempt from this horrible disease but I did do everything to avoid it. After a biopsy I was diagnosed with Stage 1, Grade 2, DCI and DCIS. I had a Lumpectomy and a additional surgery to clear the margins. I then had 15 days whole breast and 4 day tumor site Radiation Treatments. I have been taking Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years now and have 2 1/2 more to go. I do want to express how disappointed I am with the lack of reconstruction options for Lumpectomy/ Radiation patients. I was pretty much left with the whole bottom half of my left breast removed. Now don't get me wrong I am EXTREMELY happy to be alive but with so many women being diagnosed you would think they would have come up with something better by now.

Early detection is VERY important!!! Don't put off your Mammogram, it could possibly save your life. Always and I mean always get a second opinion from a Breast Surgeon not a General Surgeon. I got advise from my fellow Breast Cancer Survivors and I also joined a Breast Cancer Support Group. Before I was diagnosed I prided myself in living each every minute of my life to the fullest. So I can't say that my life has changed for the better after BC. Now my mission is to help and support as many newly diagnosed Breast Cancer patients that I can. Hopefully that number will start decreasing significantly in the near future!!!
Love to you all.
Leslie

Leslie Husain
Great Falls, VA

Lisa's Story

It was the call I didn’t want to receive. My doctor stated “I am in shock Lisa but you do in fact have breast cancer.” I received that call on July 16, 2014. I am 42 years old.

Earlier in May 2014 I went in for an annual female exam with my primary doctor. She ordered a mammogram just like she would for any woman over the age of 40. I felt no lump at all. I had my first one on that Monday. I received a call later that day saying that they found something suspicious and wanted to do another. I informed them that I was scheduled to have rotator cuff surgery on that Thursday so if they wanted to do it, it had to be before then. They performed a second mammogram on Wednesday of that same week. I went in for my rotator cuff surgery and came home in pain and in a sling. On Friday I received a call that my doctor was referring me to a surgeon for a biopsy. I met the surgeon the following week. He saw I was in the sling and knew that a biopsy could not be done until I was out of the sling which would be 6 weeks. He really felt that it was just calcifications and I really had nothing to worry about. I went home feeling relieved and made it through the next 6 weeks feeling very little stress. Once the sling came off my surgeon did the biopsy. Three days later I received the devastating news. Since then I have had to make some big decisions. I have chosen to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction. I had my first breast removed on August 8th. At this time they performed pathology and found it was stage 2B cancer. It had spread to my first lymph node but no further.

Like I said before I did NOT feel a lump. This totally took me by surprise. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Please be proactive and have your mammograms done!

Lisa
Canton, OH

beYOUtiful

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2013. I had a double mastectomy in January. My reconstructive surgery was completed just a few short months ago. My scars are still visible, angry and healing. Many people in my life view me as a new found hero. That’s a big title! The truth is, I’m just a girl who has been reinvented. A new reflection in the mirror. Like a teenager going through puberty all over again discovering these new body parts she didn’t ask for! Who is she? Is she beautiful? Do I know her? She can’t wear the same bras as before. She can’t wear the same clothes. They look and fit differently now. Despite what only the human eyes can see, the superficial...deep inside my heart is humbled and grateful. I keep believing God spared my life not to just live. But to live better than before! To live more beautifully than before. I will navigate my strength into my line of faith that surpasses all my fears and lack of understanding. That’s what I can do! That’s what she can do! That’s what we can do! To love everyone, moreover, to love ourselves, from the inside, what truly matters most. And to live every day as a precious gift. Yes, breast cancer will change your life forever. But if we allow it...It could just be the most beautiful thing that ever happens to us!

Christina Kutchman
Eldersburg, MD

Celebration!!

This year I am celebrating 47 years since my mastectomy. My surgery was done a few days after labor day at City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte CA. Every year, every day - is a gift! I was 26 years old and the youngest breast cancer patient they had ever had at that time. I was very lucky to have such great doctors and care.

Anonymous
Austin, TX

I Will Get Through This

It was not a hoax. It was not a practical joke either. It was real. My doctor told me with a very calm voice, “The results are not good. It is cancer.”

I found lump on my right breast sometime in January 2014. I initially ignored it thinking that it was just a simple cyst and it would go away. I finally decided to have it checked and underwent a series of tests. The ultrasound showed two tumors and results show that it was suspicious of an invasive malignancy. I was referred to a breast specialist and was advised to go for mammogram and a biopsy of the tumors. I received a call from the hospital asking me to see my breast surgeon two days earlier than my original appointment. It did not feel right but I ignored the negative feelings I was feeling that time. I remained optimistic.

It was April Fool’s Day of 2014 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My life was never the same again. It became a turning point in my life that made me realize how precious the life given by my Creator is and I continued to be grateful despite my ordeal. Being human I do feel fear but the Lord has been my comfort and His peace reminds me that He is control of my life. I have never felt so loved by my family and friends. The outpouring prayers and support from them is just unimaginable.

I had surgery in May and I am now on my last cycle of AC chemotherapy. I still have a long way to go in my succeeding treatments but God has been sustaining me since the beginning of my treatment. God’s assuring love and joy is my strength. His Word is my constant source of hope and I know that with God’s help I will get through this.

Mary Eline Zaldivar Baclig
Singapore, Singapore

1 mother 4 brothers

I was 31 with 4 young sons when I found 1 of four lumps didn't know yet that it was also in almost all of my lymph nodes under the arm...my reaction of devastation is an understatement. It's amazing what you can do when faced with fight or die so I fought and am now 10 years cancer free...the support and care from family friends and a great medical staff will be forever appreciated. To the 4 young brothers that call me mom..you're my light and the reason I'm a strong woman today..thank you!

Rebecca baumberger
mansfield, OH

survivor

Back last year February 2014 I was diagnosed with breast cancer grade 3 I had a lumpectomy reconstruction where the surgeon cut 8 inches down the side of me to remove tissue and fat to preform surgery I was in theatre for 4 hrs I had 2 drains attached to me .I was sent to the ward I was put in to a side room where I stayed for 2 weeks I had a lot of problems followed by pain.After leaving hospital I was so glad to get home I was in a lot of pain but I wanted to show that I was coping but struggled as I was in a lot of pain.After 2 months I had 6 weeks of radiotherapy I had to travel 40 miles per day 5 days a week .
I thought my life was on the mend when crash I went down with exhaustion ,I was so tearful I couldnt pick my self up at all my life had changed in many ways I felt like I was a failer to my children.my family did support me but I felt guilty because I was to tired to do any thing and the tears would just poored out.I went through so much pain but I am thank ful that I am here today to tell my story ,I like to say I had a very good consultant and surgeon and nurses at the parapet king Edwards hospital who had put me back together again.Think positive and life will be kind to you that is what I did and I came through I will again if I ever get it recurring.

karen baker
slough, United Kingdom

My wife Maureen My Love

I wish You were still dancing with Me
When I first Met you girl it was Smiles all the time We were enjoying Our life .We Hold each other tight till the Daylight
I Could Feel Our Love so strong Nothing Ever Went Wrong, And We would dance Together All night Long
You are The Love of My Life
As the days Went By The days Turned To years and Then One terrible Day Turned Into tears
When Cancer struck You Down It was saddest Days Of our years . And i watched our lives Come tumbling down
Cancer Took all our Joy But you stayed so strong And we were Loosing everything That we Loved so Long
as Your tears Seem To Fall More Every day' I held You tight And i dreamed For Better days. I Hoped Some Day That we would dance again All Night long
And My love You surviving Gave Me such Hope and Joy, Your Still Here And alive But It Took such a Toll' Were Are the smiles I Use to Know
i watched our lives Come tumbling down It will never be the same Like when we Stay Up And danced all Night Long
Loosing everything made Us Question Our Faith But I still Pray To god and Thank Him That He Let You stay
I will Never Forget All that you went Thru I I will always Be here I will never Leave you Or Let You fell alone
Your The Love of My Life Please Smile again and i wish With all My heart. you were still dancing With Me again All Night Long even If I cant dance
This for My wonderful wife Love you Baby always, in the pic above is my wife Maureen miller and local personally jay towers

Donald Miller
Taylor, MI

too young for breast cancer

Dec. 2011. Your only 37, your too young for breast cancer,(2) professionals told me. It is just a cyst. That's when 2 years of my life disappeared.Or so I thought..June 2012 I went to my doctor and said I don't care if it is a cyst.it is bigger now and I look like I have 2 nipples on one breast.July13,2012, had surgery..one week later I am back in my surgeons office..he says it's not a cyst..it's cancer. I went from cyst to cancer to clean the margins and radiation to know I must have a bilateral mastectomy because of a bracca gene. Oct.16,2012 bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders.those too failed.started chemo and forgot about surgery for a while.I just worked and took care of my family.everyday people at work would say.."why are you working" I said.because I am not letting this beat me.I want to see my kids and future kids smiles. I finished chemo July 2013. Dec. 2103 I had the diep flap surgery. May 2104 I had my nipple reconstruction. I just need some tattooing and I am complete.I almost feel back to normal,thanks to my family and the best surgeon and his assistant in the world.

Rhonda Marks
Brooklyn, NY